95 10 1856 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/348eeb8d0fac787f52399f2995e1d53f.jpg 471155c8e7a0787cfd94dcb940b85c9a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1927-1938 4-H Events, Activities & Meetings, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource June 6, 1929 The 4-H Roundup program is being broadcast from K. S. A. C. at Manhattan this week. The banquet Friday evening from 5:30 to 9 should be interesting because the prize winners will be announced and awarded. Rossville 4-H club is competing in Music Appreciation, County Organization and Girls demonstrations. December 12, 1929 Mrs. John Wray, assisted by Dr. Wray, the girls of her foods class and nine waitresses, served a lovely banquet Friday evening to members of the 4-H Club and some of their parents and friends. W. H. Robinson, county agent, and Miss Lois Holderbaum, home demonstration agent, were present and gave encouraging talks. Mr. Leo Hubert, the new president was in charge of the program. The short form of initiation was demonstrated, with Howard Hook as Conductor and Clyde Wadsworoth as candidate. A large 4-leaf clover in green, with a large white capital H on each leaf, was laid out near the center of the floor. Aletha Viergever, Maudie Lambert, Fern Enochs and Mildred Startup represented the four H's and Herbert Lambert the stem of the clover. The candidate was conducted to each H in turn and there told the meaning of the H. Some other time it is planned to try out the longer initiation form. The Misses Bertrice Moser, Erma Caldwell, Inez Spencer, Julia Ellen Crow, and Margaret VanOrsdol, who entered the Achievement contest here at the fair last fall, were guests of honor. Their mothers, also were invited guests. The O. E. S. chapter held its annual election Tuesday evening. 4-H CLUB PICNIC August 15, 1935 Rossville 4-H community clubs picnic will be held Wednesday, Aug. 21, at St. Marys park for all club members and their parents. All are to meet at the high school at 4 o'clock. The picnic supper will include the following menu. Bring enough for your party: Fried chicken, potato salad, fresh tomatoes, cake, bananas, deviled eggs and pickles. Iced chocolate milk will be furnished. Each is to bring table service, plate cup and saucer. October 7, 1937 The Supper club had a meeting after the general 4-H meeting Tuesday. The following were elected: President, Nora Dell; Vice president. Verna dell; Secretary, Eva; Treasurer; Ruby; Reporter Anita. December 26, 1957 Way Back When - 20 YEARS AGO November 25, 1937 The Shawnee County 4-H Club orchestra played Saturday over WIBW. Those from Rossville who belong and played were Geraldine Fawl, Lulu Rachel Dannefer, Patricia Bigham, Helen Parr, Merwin Startup, Clyde Hartzell, Keith Navarre, and Richard Hartzell. January 27, 1938 The following went to the county 4-H orchestra practice in Silver Lake Monday: Clyde Hartzell, Pat Bigham, Helen Parr, Geraldine Fawl, Richard Hartzell, Keith Navarre and Merwin Startup. September 8, 1927 Marvin Davis and Leo Ruff of Rossville and Howard Hook of Silver Lake were selected as the Shawnee county 4-H Club Stock Judging team for the Topeka and Hutchinson State Fairs. Earl Miller Jr., Frederick Zickefoose and Paul Engler were selected as the Dairy Judging team for the Hutchinson Fair. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1927, 1929, 1935, 1937, 1938 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0651 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/339e96b7a8c9c5e3481bfd22d49048db.jpg 97d134ef4d1c5231253d3ae32ee25d5e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1943-1944 4-H Events, Programs & Meetings, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource December 16, 1943 Mrs. Walter Trubey, Betty and Evelyn, Mrs. William Hesse and son Billy, Barbara McCoid, Owen McMahan, Howard McMahan, Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Spears and Dorothy Lemon went to Topeka this Thursday to attend a 4-H Achievement Day Banquet held on the roof garden of the Hotel Kansan. The banquet is sponsored by the Topeka C of C. 4-H CLUB NOTES The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club members of 1943, made a nice showing at the 4-H Achievement Banquet at the Hotel Kansan. Three hundred members attended the dinner and C. L. King presented awards to thirty county winners. Betty Trubey won a gold pin awarded by Montgomery Ward and Company in a canning contest; Barbara McCoid was presented an Eversharp pencil as an award for presiding as president of the Model Club meeting and the club was given a flag set for the best model meeting presented in the county. Billy Hesse was presented an Eversharp pencil for being poultry and beef champion of the county; also he placed 5th in the War Meat Production contest sponsored by the Gutting Motor Company and received $2 as prize money. 4-H CLUB NOTES January 27, 1944 The January meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H club was called to order by the president, Betty Trubey. Roll call as answered by telling "How your project helps to win the war." Mary Maus led the club in saying the Flag Salute and Owen McMahan led in singing "God Bless America." Mr. King showed a moving picture on soldiers on the farm. The club had a skating party Wednesday, Jan. 19. Mary Maus gave a talk on "Saving Your Soil." Rosemary Lambert talked on "Food Conservation in the Home"; a talk on "More Food through Conservation Farming" was given by Howard McMahan. Dorothy Lemon spoke on "Safety." and James McCoid talked on Minerals. Mr. Emery of Topeka played a piano solo. There were 30 present. 4-H Club Notes February 24, 1944 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club met at the grade school Monday, Feb 23 at 8 o'clock. Betty Trubey presided. Evelyn Trubey read the minutes of the previous meeting. Roll call was answered by a valentine exchange. Owen McMahan gave a report of the leaders meeting which was held at Holton, January 27. Mary Maus played a trumpet solo. Pauline Snoddy gave a demonstration on eat the right food. A talk on patriotic songs was given by Dorothy Lemon. Eight were present. 4-H CLUB NOTES March 23, 1944 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club is having a paper drive starting Tuesday night, March 21. The members living on the north side of the highway are putting the paper they collect in Pelfrey's barn. Those members living on the south side will put the paper they collect in Mrs. Zelma Jones's shed. She lives the first house south of the ice plant on the west side of the road. They desire everyone cooperate by having their waste paper, magazines, etc. ready for the members when they come for it. The drive will last about two weeks. The last meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H club was called to order by the president, Betty Trubey, roll call was answered by naming your favorite radio program. The program consisted of talks on "Colds" by Jean Kovar; "Meat Animal Contest," by Evelyn Trubey; "Victory Gardens" by Virginia Kovar; "Save Live for Victory," by Mary Marney; "Poultry Production contest" by Audrey Marney and games. Howard McMahan. Reporter. June 1, 1944 The annual 4-H religious program was given Sunday evening at the Christian Church and more friends and 4-H club members should have been present and enjoyed the fine program given by the club members. Gail Dunning the pastor, delivered a splendid message on "Youth." Other talks included "Purpose of the 4-H Sunday," by Betty Trubey; "Serving God, Country and Fellowmen," Howard McMahan, followed by a prayer by Mary Maus. A talk on "A Miracle in the Mediterranean," was given by Barbara McCoid. Three musical numbers were given by the 4-H chorus. ROSSVILLE, REPORTER THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1944 4-H CLUB NOTES All girls carrying the first food and clothing projects will meet at the drug store at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon, August 2. The meeting will be at the home of Betty Trubey. Bring material for potholder and partly finished towel; also sewing equipment. The 4-H food preparation and clothing club met at the home of Barbara McCoid, Monday afternoon. Barbara junior project leader, demonstrated the baking of sour cream cookies. The sewing class then made plans for future meetings and fair entries, with Betty Trubey, junior clothing project leader in charge. Girls attending the meeting were Mary Martin, Coleen Coke, Mary Marney, Jacqueline Lloyd, Donna Townsend, June Hartzell, Betty Trubey, Barbara McCoid and the hostess's mother, Mrs. Harley McCoid 4-H CLUB NOTES August 10, 1944 The 4-H club girls held a sewing meeting at the home of Mrs. Trubey Wednesday afternoon, August 2. The girls finished hand towels and tea towels and started on potholders Mrs. Trubey taught the girls to use the sewing machine. They plan to exhibit their work at the 4-H Style Show and at the fair. Those present were June Hartzell, Edith Marie Cerny, Marcia Cerny, Shirley Lambert, Rosemary Lambert, Mary Martin, Coleen Coke, Rosella Trubey and Mrs. Trubey. Norma Jean Rogers was a visitor. The next meeting will be held August 16th. 4 H CLUB NOTES September 21, 1944 The meeting was called to order Monday, Sept. 18, in the grade school building, by the vice-president Mary Maus, in the absence of the president, Betty Trubey. Roll call was answered by "What yon exhibited at the fair." Then a discussion of an achievement night. The program consisted of a demonstration on "Furniture" by June Hartzell, and protection of young War Workers by James McCoid. The following future members were present: Dickie Curwick, Arlene Hoobler, Everett Hoobler, Forest Hoobler, Ruth Spears. Helen Spears, Phyllis Page, Robert Marney and Dean Marney. —Howard McMahan, Reporter Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943, 1944 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0652 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/d2923c3f90844c210921849bbb0907cc.jpg 1ea2915dc8607d164b835783ba7f008f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1945-1948 4-H Banquet, Awards & Meetings, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource ROSSVILLE RUSTLERS 4-H CLUB January 25, 1945 The regular monthly meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H club was held at the Rossville grade school at 8 p. m. Tuesday, January 16, 1945. The meeting was called to order by the president, all repeating the flag salute followed by the song "America." Roll call was answered by a name of a Kansas bird, tree or flower. The program consisted of the song, "Flow Gently Sweet Alton" by the club; a talk by Howard McMahan on "Cattle"; a talk on "Food Preparation" by Betty Trubey a demonstration on "Cattle Grubs" by Everett Hoobler and Billy Hesse; music appreciation by Phyllis Page on "Home, Sweet Home"; a health talk on "Tuberculosis" by Ruth Spears; and recreation was led by Evelyn Trubey The Silver Lake 4-H club will be guests of Rossville Rustlers 4-H club January 31, at the Rossville grade school. The model club contest is being held between all the clubs in Shawnee County. These two clubs will give their model club at this meeting. We, the club, cordially invite the public to attend our meetings. — Reporter, Helen Spears February 1, 1945 The following was omitted last week in the list of 4- H winners. Gene Pelfrey also was a winner, taking 3rd in 2nd Division Poultry. March 8, 1945 At a tryout held recently for the County 4-H chorus of twenty-two voices to enter at Manhattan, April 7, Billy Hesse and Howard McMahan of Rossville were among the group chosen. March 29, 1945 Twelve Shawnee County 4-H clubs participated in the County model 4-H club contest recently and Rossville placed first. The Rossville leaders are Mrs. Harley McCoid, Mrs. Wm. Hesse, Owen McMahan, and V. P. Hoobler. A county team of fifteen was chosen and will compete with other counties at Manhattan, April 7. Billy Hesse, Everett Hoobler, Betty Trubey, and Barbara McCoid were among the fifteen chosen. January 25, 1945 A gala celebration for the 4-H club boys and girls of Shawnee County was enjoyed Monday night at the Topeka auditorium, when they met for the annual achievement banquet given by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Several hundred dollars were awarded for outstanding achievements in some type of farm competition to Shawnee county 4-H club members. Prize winners honored at this dinner were: Swine—James McCoid, 3rd. Kafir Corn—4th, Betty Trubey. General Crops—3rd, Betty Trubey Poultry, 1st Div. — 2nd, Burns Hesse Poultry, 2nd Div.—3rd, Barbara McCoid. Clothing 1st Div. – 1st Barbara McCoid Clothing 2nd Div. – 2nd, Betty Trubey Project Demonstration, 2nd Div. —1st, Betty Trubey; 2nd, Barbara McCoid Winners in Model Club Meeting contest—2nd, Rossville 4-H Club Club with largest enrollment—1st, Rossville 4-H club ROSSVILLE RUSTLERS 4-H NOTES February 22, 1945 The regular monthly meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club was held February 19, at the Rossville grade school. The meeting was called to order by the president, Forest Hoobler, by repeating the Flag Salute, followed by the song, "A Plowing Song." Roll call was answered by "What a 4-H member can do to make his home look better." The program consisted of a piano solo by June Hartzell; a flute duet by Ruth Spears and Phyllis Page; a talk on "Feeding and Caring for a baby beef calf," by Forest Hoobler; a demonstration by Howard McMahan on "Mixing a dairy feed"; a demonstration on "Folding and care of clothes", by Rosemary Lambert; music appreciation by Burns Hesse on "Old Folks at Home"; a health talk on "Muscle Building Foods" by James McCoid; song, "Dixie" by the Club; a talk by Miss Lambotte; and recreation by Shirley Lambert. — Reporter, Helen Spears December 4, 1947 Everett Hoobler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Hoobler, and Pauline Bundy of Six Mile, were crowned King and Queen of the Shawnee County 4-H Fall Festival at Garfield Park Shelterhouse. March 4, 1948 Robert Gentry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gentry of the Kingville neighborhood, for a number of years a 4-H worker in Mitchell County and lately in this county, has a record of achievement to inspire all 4-H'ers. During the 10 years Gentry has been in the 4-H Club work, he has carried 41 projects and won 100 ribbons. He was Kansas general livestock champion in 1946. September 1948 James McCoid of Rossville was judged the best groomed boy in the county. He has been a 4-H club member for five years. November 1948 Bob Gentry was named by J. Harold Johnson state 4-H club leader, as the boy leadership winner in Kansas club work this year. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1945, 1947, 1948 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0654 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/6673a3ce41f34d99c821065ce9b9b894.jpg 23514be45fc0c9071a3f43449f409d3d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1949 4-H Rossville Rustlers & West Union Wildcats, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource February 12, 1959 Way Back When 10 YEARS AGO February 10. 1949 Bob Gentry was one of four 4-H members awarded the Arthur Cap¬per scholarships for leadership in 4-H club work and applies only at Kansas State College. November 5, 1959 10 YEARS AGO November 10, 1949 Everett Hoobler, Rossville 4-H club member, was named state field crops champion. As a reward for his achievement he will be awarded a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. 4-H CLUB NEWS December 8, 1949 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H club met Monday, November 21, in the grade school gym for the regular meeting. Everett Hoobler called the meeting to order and roll was taken by naming something we were thankful for. Old and new business was then discussed We voted to start the meeting at 7:31 instead of 8 during the winter. We also voted to take up a penny col¬lection after the meetings. The club will have a basket supper on December 19, the regular meeting night, at 6:30 p. m., in the grade school gym. The members will also exchange Christmas gifts, boys bring boys gifts and girls bring girls. Bob Gentry gave out the ribbons and check awards to the 4-H mem¬bers. Those receiving awards were asked to write a letter of appreciation to the sponsor. He also reminded us to fill out enrollment cards and return them next meeting. After business meeting was over installation of officers was held. Reporter—Shirley Mesmer. WEST UNION WILDCATS 4-H Meeting December 15, 1949 The West Union Wildcats held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, December 14, at the West Union school. For business we discussed a Christ¬mas party which is to be held December 19 at the West Union school house Also on the business we voted in two new members, Leroy VanHorn and Marlin Jontra. The program consisted of a demonstration on "How to Wrap Christmas Packages," by Connie Stevens and Wynne Jo Sum¬mers. Next was a monologue on "The Real Christmas Spirit" by Glen Van Horn. Next was a piano duet "Chop Sticks" by Rebecca and Smithena Fouts. The meeting was adjourned by Don Viergever, president. — Glen VanHorn, Reporter. West Union Wildcats Achievement Party The West Union Wildcats had an annual achievement party Nov. 27th at the West Union school house. The program consisted of a piano solo by Marcia Stevens; a vocal solo by Wyn¬ne Jo Summers; a special performer, Larry Heil, magician; talks from sev¬eral members and parents on trips taken for 4-H; a style revue and pre¬sentation of awards. For refreshments we had ice cream and cake. After everyone had gone home and we were cleaning up, we discovered the hot cocoa which we had forgotten and left on the stove.—Glen VanHorn Reporter. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1949 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0655 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/102456d384a6ed5dbae229e11ce58f4f.jpeg db17600f81e391b6c60bcb32dba6953f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1950 4-H State Fair results, Meetings & Events, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource 4-H CLUB NOTES August 24, 1950 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club met Monday night, August 21, at the Community Center for their regular monthly meeting. Roll call was answered by "Topics," followed by a short business meeting. A demonstration on "Fruit Drinks," was given by Jean and Jeanette Nadeau. Shirley Pitts gave the Parliamentary problems and practices. Recreation was led by Barbara Gentry. The next meeting will be September 18, at 8 pm 4-H NEWS September 21, 1950 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H club, which met September 18, in the community building for the regular meeting, decided to sponsor a food sale on September 23, at the Community building, for their money making project of the year. The Rustlers will also be host to the next County Wide 4-H Party which will be at the Community building on October 9 from 8 to 10 p. m. Barbara Gentry. Ruth Olson and Shirley Mesmer are on the foods committee and Jeanette Nadeau is publicity chairman for the food sale. Mrs. Vina McCoid handed out enrollment cards for next year. She also reported that all the record sheets had been handed in but one. Those on the nominating committee for new 4-H officers are, Roy D. Davis, Genevieve Bixby and Melvin Ketter. The club opened the program by singing "Battle Hymn of Republic." Robert Lambert gave a historian talk on Crocodiles. A spelling bee and games were enjoyed for recreation —Reporter, Shirley Mesmer. 4-H CARD OF THANKS September 28, 1950 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club wants to thank the parents who donated so generously to the Food Sale and those who patronized it. We also thank Mr. Navarre for his free advertising—Rossville Rustlers. 4-H CLUB ENTERTAINS AT COUNTY-WIDE PARTY October 12, 1950 Monday evening the Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club was host to a county-wide 4-H party at the community building. Mr. Merle Eyestone was in charge. There were 165 members and leaders present. Under the capable leadership of Mr. Eyestone the 150 members were kept busy for two hours playing the musical folk games he provided. After refreshments of cider and doughnuts the party broke up at 9:30 all saying they had a wonderful time and expressing admiration for Rossville's beautiful community center. SHAWNEE 4-Hers WIN AT FAIR September 28, 1950 Shawnee County 4-Hers came home from the state fair in Hutchinson with three grand championships and a lot of blue ribbons. Club Agent Merle Eyestone reported Saturday. The Shawnee County 4-H booth on "Better Wiring for Better Living," constructed by Joe Conley of Rossville won the trophy for the best booth. The Shawnee poultry team of Melvin Martinek, Gerhard Malm and Norman Oberhelman won first place over 15 other teams and earned a trip to the national contest to be held in Chicago in December. Martinek was the second high individual in the contest. Oberhelman was seventh and Malm was eighth. Adding to honors won was the crops judging team of James McCoid Joe Conley and Bob Reid which took first place over 14 other county teams. McCoid was second high individual in the contest and Reid was seventh. Marilyn Brown and Reid both won blue ribbons in the style show and best groomed boy's contest. Mary Simpson was chosen from the 800 delegates to the camp to conduct the organizations and functioning of the camp. Robert Engler's baby beef won a blue ribbon as did the Chester White pigs of Phyllis Cole. The dairy team won sixth place competing with 23 teams and the livestock team was thirtieth among 63 teams. In the home economics judging and food preparation the Shawnee County team of Ruth Simpson, Rosaline Bosworth and Lois Perry was third out of 51 teams. ROSSVILLE RUSTLERS 4-H CLUB October 26, 1950 The regular monthly meeting of the Rossville 4-H Rustlers was held Monday night, Oct. 23, at the Community Center, with 26 members, 4 guests and two leaders present. The meeting was opened by giving the Flag Salute. The business session followed in which it was decided to contribute the money taken in at 4-H Sunday to the new Community Center. The president announced that the club made $31.17 from the Food Sale held two weeks ago. The election of officers followed. They are President, Burns Hesse; vice-president , Joe Conley; treasurer, Shirley Mesmer; reporter, Shirley Pitts; song leader, Barbara Gentry; council members, Robert Reid and Barbara Gentry; pianist, Shirley Mesmer; community club leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Davis with Mrs. Frederic Zickefoose as assistant. The following program was given: Health Talk, Roy Davis; Current Events, Barbara Gentry; Music Appreciation, Ruth Olson. Recreation consisting of games was enjoyed by all. Refreshments of candy bars were served. — Shirley Pitts, Reporter. ROSSVILLE RUSTLERS 4-H NEWS November 16, 1950 Burns Hesse, Joe Conley, Robert Reid, Barbara Gentry, Shirley Mesmer, Shirley Pitts, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Davis and Mrs. Frederic Zickefoose attended the 4-H officers' training school at YWCA in Topeka Thursday night, November 9. "Guest Night" will be observed at the regular monthly meeting of the Rossville 4-H club Monday night, November 20, at 8 o'clock at the Community Center. Each 4-H club family will present their guest who in turn will appear on the program. Let's have more parents present. Help support your Rossville 4-H club by attending all club meetings. The meetings are held every 4th Monday night in the month. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0656 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/6f233832796309b9bdabeb59c63cc7eb.jpeg 04c7a924689a2fdb01110b0b1e735a2a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1950 4-H Annual Picnic, Meetings & Programs, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource 4-H CLUB NOTES January 19, 1950 The Rossville Rustlers met Monday, January 16, in the grade school gym for the regular meeting. The president called the meeting to order, and it was opened by members repeating the flag salute and singing "America the Beautiful." Roll call was answered by the special topics. We discussed and voted to pay the rest of our bills. We voted to give a model meeting in 4-H club day activities. Mrs. Ruth Hesse will help us with this meeting. We talked of other possibilities for the day. They include a demonstration, sextet or a talk. The program was given by the officers. Robert Reid gave a health talk on Athlete's Foot; a brief history of the song "America" was given by Shirley Mesmer, and Teresa Bixby gave moving a motion for parliamentary problems and practice. Robert Rafferty demonstrated how to clean a gun, and James McCoid gave a report on hunting safety. Joe Conley had recreation. The meeting was adjourned by repeating the club pledge. —Shirley Mesmer, Reporter 4-H CLUB NOTES March 16, 1950 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H club met February 26, at the grade school gym for their regular meeting which had been postponed to this date. James McCoid called the meeting to order and it was opened by roll call. They decided to have both a boys and a girls basketball team to compete in the tournament. Mrs. Pitts will coach the girls and Bob Gentry will coach the boys. On the program was a foods demonstration by Linda and Shirley Pitts; conservation number, Feeding the Birds, by Roy D. Davis; and Care of the Cold, by Jeanette Nadeau. After the regular meeting was adjourned, practice for our model meeting was held.—Shirley Mesmer, Reporter. 4-H NOTES June 15, 1950 The Rossville 4-H club visited the West Union 4-H at their regular meeting on June 14, in the West Union school house. After the Wildcat's business meeting, the Rossville Rustlers presented the program. Shirley Mesmer, gave a health talk on polio; Jeanette Nadeau give a music appreciation on "Dixie"; Joe Conley played "Red Wing and "Red River Valley" on his harmonica. The Wildcats had recreation and refreshments after the meeting was dismissed. The Rustlers had a good time and wish to thank West Union for inviting them.—Shirley Mesmer, Reporter 4-H CLUB NEWS March 23, 1950 Mrs. Lorene Harth, Mrs. Helen Wilt and Mrs Margaret Hejtmanek, home- town registered nurses, attended the meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club last Monday, March 20, at the grade school and were special speakers on the program. Mrs. Wilt gave a brief history on the beginning of nurses. Here are some of the interesting facts brought out: The first nursing began around 380 A. D. Then nursing dropped out until the 18th century when Florence Nightingale, the world's most outstanding nurse, appeared. The next interest started the science of nursing. Mrs. Harth told about the services of the Public Health department and what they did to better health. Mrs. Hejtmanek then showed an educational picture on teeth. Other numbers on the program were group singing. Joe Conley and Jerry Pearl gave a demonstration on different bandages and their use. Mrs Vina McCoid had charge of recreation which included a race and singing stunt. We opened the meeting by singing "Billy Boy" and roll call was answered by individual topics. The club voted to send a leader to Leaders' Conference, and to pay the conference expense. Mrs. McCoid read the criticism about our activities on 4-H Day. The next meeting will be April 17.— Shirley Mesmer, Reporter. 4-H CLUB NEWS May 25, 1950 Bill Garden and Trooper McCabe attended the regular meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H club, which had been postponed until May 22, at the grade school and participated in our annual safety program. On the first part of the program Bill Garden gave an interesting talk on safety. Then Trooper McCabe showed some films. The first was "Danny Boy," a story of a boy and his dog. The other two were safety pictures. "Driven to Kill" and "Traffic with the Devil." Other numbers on the program were "Glow Worm," sung by the girls and "Ploughing Song" sung by the boys. Jeanette Nadeau gave a music appreciation on "Dixie." Burns gave a safety talk on fluorescent lights. Instead of recreation, pictures of the grade school children, which were taken this spring were shown. The club discussed exchanging programs with West Union 4-H club and Joe Conley, Shirley Trahoon and Linda Pitts were appointed to make plans for the program Jerry Pearl, Barbara Gentry and Jean Nadeau were appointed to work out transportation and stops for the 4-H tour. Mr Eyestone checked the club projects. Mr. and Mrs. Merle Eyestone were guests at our meeting. There were also a number of parents and friends visiting.—Shirley Mesmer, Reporter. The Rossville Reporter THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1950 4-H CLUB NEWS A stunt show in which all the members participated, took the place of the regular program in the Rossville Rustlers’ meeting on April 17, at the grade school. First on the program was Joe Conley and Burns Hesse with their ukeleles, James McCoid and his banjo, and Robert Rafferty. They played and sang "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," "Red River Valley," "Home on the Range," and "Goodnight, Ladies." Joe Conley played "Music, Music, Music," "Red Wing," and "Quick Silver" on his harmonica. Anita Rundus brought us back to our childhood days by reciting "Little Orphan Annie." Ruth Olson, Genevieve Bixby, Elzora Marney, and Teresa Bixby sang "My Happiness." Robert Reid, Jerry Pearl and Melvin Ketter sang "Powder Your Face with Sunshine," and Jeanette Nadeau, Shirley Pitts, Shirley Trahoon and Darlene Allen sang "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts." Robert Lambert entertained us with some riddles, and Shirley Mesmer gave a little poem which told what happens to curious people. Linda Pitts, Linda Wilt, Jean Nadeau and Ruth Kovar sang a late hit parade number, "Dear Hearts and Gentle People." Roy D. Davis sang "Chautauqua Shoe Shine Boy." Bob Gentry and Robert Reid sang "Maybe You'll Be There." Mrs. McCoid concluded our program by directing a little play. The cast, composed of the members, included trees, curtains, benches, chairs, a mother and father, some children, two nurses, a villain and a hero. O yes, the title of the play was "Gathering Nuts." The meeting was opened by the club singing "Sweetly Sings the Donkey." Shirley Trahoon will represent our club in the health contest. The delegates selected for 4-H Round-up are Genevieve Bixy [sic; Bixby] and Burns Hesse. —Shirley Mesmer, Reporter 4-H CLUB PICNIC The 4-H Club members and their families will enjoy the annual picnic Wednesday July 28, at River Side park, at St. Marys at 6:30. Bring basket supper and table service for your family.—Shirley Mesmer, Reporter 4-H NEWS July 27, 1950 Parents and 4-Hers enjoyed the annual picnic of the Rossville Rustlers on July 26, at St. Marys park. After serving a short business meeting was held. It was voted to pay the bills for pop, paper plates, etc. There was a short discussion about the Northwestern Kansas Judging school. Recreation was swimming.—Shirley Mesmer, Reporter. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1950 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0657 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/b7a9474728a187be21c479c22517b45b.jpg cf90b62a4de05fea7b210f4e696fbc43 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1951 4-H Shawnee County Fair & Community Project, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource SHAWNEE CO. 4-H FAIR STOCK WINNERS August 23, 1951 Merle Eyestone, County 4-H agent, announces the following local winners on stock shown last Friday at the Kansas Free Fair grounds. Hereford baby beef, Roy Davis, blue ribbon; Marvin and Norma Rogers Dover, red ribbon. Shorthorn baby beef: Barbara Jones, Rossville, red ribbon. Duroc-Jersey pigs, Darrell Rezac, first and second blue ribbons. Purebred Spotted Poland china gilts: Melvin Martinek, Grove, blue ribbon, and other breeds of hogs; Melvin Martinek, first blue ribbon. Duroc-Jersey spring gilt pigs, Earl Miller, blue ribbon and Calvin Billings, West Union, red ribbon; Pat Anderson, Silver Lake, red ribbon. ROSSVILLE 4-H WINNERS September 6, 1951 Two Shawnee County 4-H members won trips to the Kansas State Fair, in Hutchinson, when they carried away top honors at the Shawnee County 4-H Style show and best dressed boy contest Saturday. Members included Leora Renyer, of Auburn 4-H club, was selected as the Grand champion of the Style show. Miss Renyer modeled a three-piece wool suit with reversible weskit. She carried out her costume with brown accessories. The entire ensemble had been made by the 16-year-old 4-H member. James 'Buzzie" McCoid, Rossville 4-H club received grand champion honors in the best-dressed boy contest. He modeled a blue business suit, four-in-hand tie and brown shoes. He is 17 years old and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harley McCoid. The reserve winner of the style show was Marilynne Brown of Wakarusa 4-H club. She wore a two-piece wool suit with companion jacket and a small checked wool skirt. Brown accesories carried out her costume, which was made by the 17-year-old girl. Reserve champion of the best boy contest was Joe Conley of Rossville, 4-H club. He wore a blue business suit; brown shoes and a four-in-hand tie. He is 17 years old and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Conley. The following girls won ribbons on modeling the clothing they had made for their 4-H projects. Linda Rezac, blue on her apron; Barbara Jones, red on her dress; Linda Pitts, blue on a wash dress; and Shirley Pitts, blue on a cotton wash dress. Mrs. Miriam Cade, Home Demonstration Agent from Lyon County, judged the entire show. More than 150 persons watched the Revue.—Shirley Pitts, Reporter. July 19, 1951 The regular monthly meeting of the Rossville Rustlers 4-H club will be held at the Community building, Monday, July 23, at 8 o'clock. Everyone try to attend. WANT YOUR MAIL BOX PAINTED? March 22, 1951 The Rossville Rustlers 4-H Club has selected for its community project the painting of mail boxes and adding the name of the owner, painted clearly. Stencils will be used for the lettering so you can be assured of a neat job. The goal is to have all mail boxes in Rossville Township painted and stenciled. Anyone in Rossville Township interested in availing themselves of this service, please notify Joe Conley or Roy D. Davis, at once. There will be a small fee of 25c per job to defray expenses. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1951 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0658 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/47b056af459fd5cd24839d1f52c069a8.jpg e00015dddb72d9dcdbbf0ff69c2eefe6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1953-06 4-H Cooking Meeting, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource 4-H NEWS June 1953 By Barbara Gentry There were 12 girls and three leaders at the first 4-H cooking meeting June 1. The leaders handed out pamphlets on different cooking methods. Our next meeting, June 9, will start at 10:00 a. m. at the Community building. We will plan and make a dinner. Everyone please try to be there. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 1953 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0659 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/b8bb0a1e60810062ea74c2ec233f2166.jpg 4cee570c46aa5850374425c55e6ddb6f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1955-02-24 4-H Club History 1946-1955, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource THE ROSSVILLE REPORTER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1955 4-H Histories Special for the Reporter By Merle Eyestone HISTORY OF ROSSVILLE 4-H CLUB SINCE 1946 The Rossville Club is one of the oldest clubs in Shawnee county being organized in the late twenties. In 1947 the Club had 29 members. Rossville is proud of its 4-H and FFA Club work. Signs like the above were one of the many projects undertaken by the clubs the past year. These were placed on both the west and east edge of town on Highway 24 and 40. Rossville's club had many outstanding members the past year and from the progress, they'll be champions this coming year. Mr. V. P. Hoobler and Mrs. Ernest Rezac were community leaders. Since 1947 There have been 121 different boys and girls in the Rossville Community who have belonged to the Club. Several high honors have come to the club and individual members during this nine year period. State winners include: Bill Hesse, tractor maintenance; Everett Hoobler, field crops; Bob Gentry, junior leadership and livestock; James McCoid, garden and potato; Joe Conley, Farm Home Electric. All these boys received trips to the National Club Congress in Chicago. In addition to the above winners Everett Hoobler was a member of the State winning livestock judging team in 1949; Fred Coffey and Barbara Jones were members of the State winning poultry team that placed second in the National contest in 1953; Robert Reid, James McCoid and Joe Conley were members of the State winning crops team in 1950. The Club has won the following seals: 1947 - gold; 1948 - gold; 1949 -none; 1950 - red; 1951 - red; 1952 -none; 1953 - purple; 1954 - purple. The Club received the outstanding club participation plaque at the 1953 4-H Fair. Scholarships have been won by James McCoid and Bob Gentry. Barbara Jones was State winner in Dairy Production and won a trip to National Dairy Show in Waterloo in 1953. Mrs. Marvin Davis, community leader accompanied the State group. Clyde McKenzie, Gerald Lister, James McCoid and Mrs. Harley McCoid have made trips to Chicago with the 4-H Band. Leaders of the Rossville Club since 1946 have been Community leaders: Mr. V. P. Hoobler, Mrs. Ernest Rezac, Mrs Harlev McCoid. Bob Gentry, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Davis and the present leaders are Mrs. Howard French and Mr. V. D. Jones. Project leaders have included: Mrs. Roy Wilt, Mrs. James Rezac, Mrs. Francis Davis, Mr. Joe Campbell, Mrs. Ray Hudson, Mrs. Elmer Lynde, Mrs. Harold Reser, Mrs. Chris Viergever, Mrs. Fred Zickefoose and Mrs. Pitts. Members and former members include: Ernestine Adams, Nancy Adams, Darlene Allen, Kay Bason, Mary Besta, Gale Bennett, Bennie Besta, Genevieve Bixby, Teresa Bixby, Dolores Britt, Ann Boyd, Etta Coffey, Fred Coffey, Patty Coffey, Phyllis Coffey, Barbara Coke, Colleen Coke, Joe Conley, Pauline Curwich, Dean Davis, Gene Davis, Roy Davis, Sharon Davis, Gerald Lewis, Bennie Dick, Junior Dick, Grace Dick, Wayne Dick, Gary French, Laird French, Harold Fowler, Barbara Gentry, Bob Gentry, Bill Gentry, Betty Gentry, Jerrie Gleason, Linda Hurley, Arlan Hoobler, Everett Hoobler, Richard Hoobler, Bill Hesse, Burns Hesse, Kenneth Heiland, Janet Hause, Donald Jacobson, Kay Jacobson, Barbara Jones, Alex Johnson, Melvin Ketter. Ruth Kovar, Marie Krasny, Mary Krasny, Robert Lambert, Gerald Lister, Eddie Lloyd. Timmy Lynde, Loren Lynde, Jo Ann Martinek, Jerry Mastene, James McCoid, Clyde McKenzie, Neil McKenzie, Leonard Mesmer, Lloyd Mesmer, Shirley Mesmer, Nida Mogus. Paul Martin, Pauline Martin, Elzora Marney, Kenny Marney, Laiten Marney, Howard McMahan, Jeanette Nadeau, Jean Nadeau, Sally Nadeau, Ruth Olson. Dean Page. Gerald Pearl. Gene Pelfrey, Betty Pendleton, Charlene Perry. Linda Pitts, Shirley Pitts, Sharon Reser, Carl Rafferty, Robert Rafferty. Robert Reid, Darrell Rezac, Ernest Rezac, Linda Rezac, Don Rogers, Anita Rundus, Jerome Schmitz, Delores Schmitz. Ginger Shannon David Stadler. Helen Stadler. Laura Stiles, Leo Stockman. Helen Spears. JoAnn Swenson, Shirley Trahoon, Evelyn Trubey. Rosella Trubey, Donnie Tschantz. Charles VanVleck, Clifford VanVleck, Gerald Viergever, Sharon Viergever, Sue Viergever, Zora Wade, Lewis Weeks. Lynda Wilt, Frank Wood, Robert Young, Janet Young, Lyle Zeller, Paul Zeller, Jane Zickefoose, Sammy Zickefoose. (Darker names indicate present 4-H Club members.) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 24, 1955 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0660 http://www.recollectionsks.org/files/original/1947e25e41739b6d58399665a5a7a57a.jpeg f3bed3291cc69e5830e617a9712565b9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Rossville Agricultural History Subject The topic of the resource Farming/Ranching Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rossville Community Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Rossville Centennial Booklet, 1971 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Rossville Community Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain due to copyright expiration. Original narrative content by RCL is available for use by public. Description An account of the resource Rossville is fortunately situated in many ways—we are near a large city, Topeka, but far enough away to retain our own identity; we can be considered a bedroom community to Topeka since so many residents commute to work to the larger city; we are just north of the Kansas River and enjoy the fertile “Kaw River Valley,” which has benefited agriculture in our community since its very beginnings. From the early days, Rossville Township was blessed with fertile creek and river-bottom land, combined with the upland, which consisted of bluestem grass. The early settlers broke and cleared the bottom lands and part of the upland prairie. The settlers of the 1860-70s began farming and found the soil fertile and productive. However, the task of clearing the timberland and breaking prairie sod must have seemed insurmountable. Corn and wheat, the main crops, and cattle, hogs and other livestock-raising, became the basic agriculture of Rossville township. Many of these early farmers came to Kansas seeking land. They traveled by ox cart and wagon before the railroad went through, following the Oregon and other trails. Settlers bought land from the Santa Fe Railroad or from members of the Citizen Potawatomi Band, who were selling their allotment land. The first mention of early agriculture in Rossville comes from Dr. Gabbey’s account, written in 1886: “The Pottawatomi as a tribe never took kindly to agriculture, four or five acres in corn was a large field. Their fields were usually cleared up from the edge of the timber along the streams, as the Indian had little use for the Prairie kind.” One account gives the cost of prairie in the early days from $2.50 to $4.00 per acre. Lumber was worth from $25.00 to $39.00 dollars per thousand feet. Oxen cost $100.00 a yoke, mules from $100.00 to $200.00, horses $75.00 to $150.00, sheep $2.00 a head and chickens 25¢ each. Masons and carpenters received $2.00 to $3.00 per day in wages. Wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel and flour $4.50 per hundred pounds. From newspapers of 1877: “New corn brought in for shipment is getting 18¢ to 20¢ and corn huskers have been in demand at $1.00 per day and board; 2.5¢ per bushel thrown on the ground or 3.5¢ in the crib.” “Mr. Lambert James, a farmer living a few miles west of town has this season manufactured 1,500 gallon of sorghum molasses, which he readily disposed of at 50¢ per gallon.” But challenges persisted for early settlers. Although this was an extremely desirable area for agriculture and the raising of livestock, it was not possible for the early settlers to procure manufactured goods from the East without paying an extremely high freight bill. It was also impossible to ship their grain and produce economically. River freight was tried but the Kaw River often times did not have enough water to make shipping dependable so the answer to this problem was the railroad. Rossville’s answer came May 18, 1866, when the first train passed through the town. Corn was the main crop and early editors gave much space extolling its excellence. Corn cribs were numerous along the south side of the railroad tracks and on the east side of north Main. A water powered grist mill was located on Cross Creek north of town. Mulvane Bros. built a steam powered mill south of the railroad tracks. One of the earliest farmers was Henry Ford, who acquired 80 acres southwest of Rossville in 1864. His wife was the former Mary Nadeau, who came to Rossville from Indiana in 1862. Henry Ford came to Kansas in 1863 and was a stage coach driver for the Overland Stage Company between Topeka and Manhattan. He met his wife at “Buttermilk Station” where she worked for her brother, Big Alex Nadeau. While working to clear their land of timber and build a log house, they lived in one room of a three room house, west of Cross Creek, north of the old Oregon and California trails. The other two rooms were occupied by Dr. and Mrs. R.S. Gabbey and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Higginbotham. After the Fords moved into their log cabin, Mrs. Ford often rode horseback nine miles with her baby to the mission in St. Marys. The first flowers she had to plant by the cabin were given to her by the nuns at the Mission. Another early farmer, John DeGraff settled south of Rossville in 1865. He and his wife, the former Frances Navarre, lived in a small dugout until their house was built. The following is a list of early farmers: Name | Year to Rossville | Origin Archibald Abbott 1870 Kingston, Canada West Joseph Andrews Westmoreland County, Pa. W. Thomas Andrews 1879 McKay, Ohio Joseph Beseau 1875 Monroe County, Michigan John A. Bond 1872 Tyler County, W. Virginia William Bond 1873 Tyler County, W. Virginia John DeGraff 1865 James DeVinney 1880 Ross County, Ohio Benjamin Franklin 1869 Ross County, Ohio John Fritz 1877 Somerset County, Pa. Martin Hass 1877 Richland County, Ohio Henry Kassabaum 1877 Brookmell, Prussia T.J. Kiernan 1868 Elzey E. Kinsey 1877 Ohio Henry Lipp 1868 South Germany Isaac McCollough 1873 Holmes County, Ohio R. McCollough 1878 Holmes County, Ohio Michael O’halaron 1880 Samuel Oldfield 1878 Derbyshire, England S.J. Oliver 1876 Edward Partelow 1868 Newport, Kentucky Thomas L. Ross 1882 Cincinnati, Ohio M.M. Standley 1874 Carroll County, Indiana Bennett Swearingen 1868 Meigs County, Ohio Isaac B. Trostel 1877 Perry County, Pa. Frank Van Vleck 1878 William Wax 1878 Juniata County, Pa. Daniel Wilt 1876 York County, Pa. Henry York 1869 Zurich, Switzerland Peter H. Zickefoose 1874 Highland County, W. Virginia Samuel Beals 1867 E.S. Doud 1869 W.L. James Wm. Kirkpatrick 1871 Frank L. Sanders John Heslet Noel Graves W.W. Janes J.K. Conley 1870 Yates County, New York Startup, Ab Thomas Attebury 1877 George Hejtmanek 1880 Wisowitz, Moravia, Austria D. Hartzell 1872 Francis E. Williams 1876 New York Captain John Gutshall Col. A.S. Stanley 1880 Meigs Co., Ohio Martin Nason 1872 Jos. Van Vleck 1878 M.L. Cless 1876 B.W. Higginbotham 1861 Thomas Moss 1877 J.M. Parr Clay Co. Indiana J.A. Parr Clay Co. Indiana H.W. Lipp 1878 Illinois Samuel B. Zickefoose 1869 West Virginia Mrs. Jane Jackson 1875 Scotland Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1957 4-H Initiation new members, Events & Projects, Rossville, Kansas Description An account of the resource Rossville 4-H initiates 12 December 19, 1957 by Linda Kelsey The Rossville 4-H Club initiated 12 new members into their organization Monday evening. The initiation was patterned after the "Beat the Clock" program. The initiation committee was composed of Mrs. Gerald Reser, Jerry Reser, Artie Campbell, Donna Lee Reser, Lilly Reser, and Doug Kelsey. Those initiated were as follows: LaVon Harper, LaVerne Harper, Garry Nichols, J. W. Adams, Susan Nadeau, Jane Parr, Amy Jones, Corrine Adams, Rose Mary Jacobson. Carolyn Gresser, Harry Adams, and Bobby Stach. The club presented Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Davis with a Christmas present. The presentation was made by Laird French. Two project meetings were announced. Mrs. Rasch's sewing will meet January 27 at Linda Kelsey's home. Mrs. Reser's cooking group will have a meeting at the Community Building December 23 at 9 a. m. The program was as follows: a very interesting demonstration on "How to Pack a Suitcase" was given by Carla Rasch; Ginger Shannon a music appreciation talk on Elvis Presley; a safety talk "Safety at School" by Artie Campbell; Darryl Nichols a conservation talk on wildlife; Andy Dieter a conservation talk; Albert Miller in charge of other program had LaVon Harper play a piece on the piano; and Sandy Taylor had Bobby Stach play a solo on his trumpet. Refreshments and dancing followed. 4-H COUNTY-WIDE PARTY DECEMBER 30 by Linda Kelsey, December 26, 1957 The County-Wide Party will be in the Community Center Monday night, December 30. All Rossville 4-H families bring a dozen and a half cookies. Bring them whether you plan to be there or not. 4-H girls help to spread cheer December 26, 1957 by Sharon Reser, Jr. Leader "It is more blessed to give than to receive." That is the spirit that prevailed at the Community Center last Monday morning, December 23, when nine 4-H girls taking advanced cooking in the local 4-H club met to mix and make candy and cookies to be used in packing Christmas boxes. After packing and wrapping the boxes they were delivered to different homes around town. Fifteen boxes were distributed and we hope they will bring some added Christmas Cheer to the homes where they were left. Girls participating in the project were: Sally Nadeau, Donna Lee Reser, Ruth Miller, Helen Wehner, June Wehner, Linda Kelsey, Patty Coffey, Lillian Reser, Sharon Reser, and the leaders, Mrs. Letha Reser and Mrs. Gerald Reser. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rossville Reporter, Rossville, Kansas This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1957 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All rights reserved Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RCL0662